Today marks the 100th anniversary of British women being given the right to vote.

It’s something we now take for granted but in 1918 for the first time, mothers, daughters and sisters were able to have their say at the ballot box.

When the Representation of the People Act was passed on this day a century ago, the stage was set for a new century.

But getting that right was a struggle. Emmeline Pankhurst started the Women’s Social and Political Revolution Union in 1903 and suffragettes from Bath played a huge role in the fight for equality.

Here are three suffragettes from Bath who dedicated their lives to the movement, put together by Somerset Live.

Emily Blathwayt: A safe haven

Emily Blathwayt and Colonel Lindley started what was known as the Suffragette’s Rest at Eagle House in Batheaston, just outside Bath.

The house had extensive grounds and a summerhouse which suffragettes could stay in to recuperate after hunger striking and could plant a tree to commemorate their prison sentences.

At least 47 trees were reported to have been planted between April 1909 and July 1911. The house is now grade 2 listed.

Emily Blathwayt: A safe haven

Mary Blathwayt: Suffrage founder in Bath

Mary Blathwayt joined the NUWSS in 1906 and the local Bath Suffrage Society in 1907, however after meeting Annie Kenney, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence and Christabel Pankhurst at a suffragist meeting in Bristol late 1807, her allegiance was swayed towards the WSPU.

Mary Blathwayt: Suffrage founder in Bath

Helen Clark: early pioneer

Helen Clark signed the 1866 Suffrage petition and in 1872 spoke at a public meeting in Taunton organized by the Bristol and West of England National Society for Women’s Suffrage of which she was also a member. A quote from Helen Clark’s speech stated:

"Though it was perfectly right for a woman to dance at a public ball, the moment she ventured upon a public platform to advocate public peace, morality and justice, she was stepping out of her sphere”

Of her daughters, Alice Clark, Hilda Clark, Esther Bright Clothier and Margaret Clark Gillett were all active suffragists or sympathizers and her son Roger Clark was co-founder of the Friend’s League for Women’s Suffrage.

Suffragettes gathering to protest in London (Image: PA)

Nominate your 21st Century Suffragette hero

Bath Chronicle has teamed up with Amnesty International to allow readers to add their name to the map.

The interactive map, which will launch on International Women’s day on March 8, will be a symbol of the suffragettes’ legacy – proudly displaying how far we have come over the past century, but also highlighting how much life-changing work is still being carried out today in every corner of the country.

Amnesty

All women must have carried out work to help others their local area within the last 10 years.

All successful nominees will be contacted to give consent prior to being placed on the Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain.

This campaign has been funded by People’s Postcode Lottery.

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